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Heat wave to hit county

While the midwest braces for severe storms amid a widespread heat wave across much of the country, Franklin County residents hunker down and try to find ways to cope with a continued run of high temperatures in the low 90s this week

Heat wave to hit county

Ron Glorioso hydrates while working on a paving machine Friday, July 22, 2016 on Hades Church Road, Quincy Township. Penn DOT workers were resurfacing the area in 90 degree heat.(Photo: Markell DeLoatch, Public Opinion)Buy Photo

FRANKLIN COUNTY - While the Midwest braces for severe storms amid a widespread heat wave across much of the country, Franklin County residents hunker down and try to find ways to cope with a continued run of high temperatures in the low 90s this week.

That's not quite as bad as those extreme temperatures being experienced in the Great Lakes and Southwest right now, but coupled with this region's high humidity, it an cause problems for those who have to work outside or don't have air conditioning in their homes, according to the American Red Cross.

Soaring temperatures along with very high humidity is causing what’s called a ‘heat dome’ over much of the country, according to Dan Tobin, the Red Cross' Central Pennsylvania regional director of marketing and communications in Harrisburg.

“The Red Cross wants Central Pennsylvania residents to know how to deal with the extreme heat,” he said.

The Red Cross is also encouraging people to check in on their friends and neighbors who don’t have air conditioning or who live alone, especially the elderly, who often either don't have air conditioning or feel they can't afford to use it.

Tobin suggests that those who don't have air conditioning try to go to public places such as shopping malls, libraries, or movie theaters to get relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day.

In Franklin County, the elderly can seek relief in one of the many senior centers located around the county. Most have programs for seniors during the day, and they offer lunch also.

There are eight such centers. Information about their locations and hours can be found online at www.franklincountypa.gov.

The Red Cross has these tips for coping with the high temperatures and humidity:

Never leave children or pets in a vehicle, even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of a car can quickly reach 120 degrees.

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine.

Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

Use a buddy system if required to work outdoors and take frequent breaks.

Check on animals frequently to ensure they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water and shade.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Monday in Franklin County, saying the combination of heat and humidity will cause dangerously high heat indices Monday and Monday evening. Those heat indice values will be up to 103 due to temperatures in the 90s and dew points in the lower 70s.

Actual high temperatures locally will reach to mid-to-upper 90s most of the week, according to forecasters, but coupled with the high humidity will feel much worse.

The weather service has issued similar suggestions to that of the Red Cross to cope with the high temperatures, including limiting daytime outdoor activities, finding shade and staying hydrated.

There isn't much relief in sight either, according to weather reports, although high temperatures the end of this week could drop a few degrees into the upper 80s as the area enters the month of August.

The area can expect some moisture in the way of showers and thunderstorms this week, as the storm that was centered over the Great Lakes on Sunday moves east, but probably not much relief from the heat and humidity conditions that are responsible for the current heat advisory.